Adjustable socket for luminescent-tube signs



Nov. 27, 1928.

W. F. HENDRY ADJUSTABLE SOCKET FOR LUMINESCENT TUBE SIGNS Filed Oct. 27, 1925 Patented Nov. 1928, 3

UNITED STATES,

PATENT T mes,

WILLIAM r. n'mmnY, or ossmme, NEW Yoamnssmnos. 'ro nannar'ran ntnc- 'rnroan sun-1.x comramz, me, A conronarron or massacnusnr'rs amusrannn socxnr ron Lummnscnn'r-rusn srens.

' Application filed October 27, 1926. Seria1rio 144,489. I

This invention relates to new-and useful improvements in adjustable sockets for luminescent tube signs, and particularly to socketsadapted for use with interchangeable neon si letters and the like.

he object of the invention to provide an inexpensive socket through which the sign letters may be connected with the current supply circuit and which may be rotated or horizontally displaced for the purpose of 1nsur1ng proper alignment and spacing of the letters.

In order more clearly to describe apreferred embodiment of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed openings 2 and 3 extending throughout the length of the body and adapted to receive the bulging ends 4and 5 of a neon tube letter 6. The bulging ends are provided with external electrodes such as 7 which contact with suitably bent leaf springs 8 and 9 within the openings 2 and3. The springs are substantially L-shaped, with the longer leg lying within the opening-of the socket and bulging outwardly at its middle to ress the electrode agamst the wall of the per oration. The shorter leg of the L is curved, as indicated at 10, to fit against the inside wall of the perforation, and a tab 11 projecting at right angles from leg 10, fits into a notch 12 in the socket 1 at the rear endthereof. The tab grips the wallof the perforation and thus serves to hold the spring in place. Between the openings 2 and 3 the socket is provided with a shoulder 13 to which a spring clip 14 may be fastened by means of screws 15.

The socket is held between two lates 16 mounted on brackets 18 so shaped'as to rmit movement of the shoulder 13 and c ip 14. The socket is slid into place from the. sideof the mounting with the spring clip 14 behind 50 the insulating panels 16 and 17 and the shoulder 13 between the two panels. Spring fingers' 19 and 20 formed 1n the clip 14 press against the inside edges of these panels to hold the socket in place. The upright portion at 21 of each tab 11 ridges therear edge of the .and 17 of insulating material w ich are,

socket and contacts'therefore' with the busbars 22 and'23 fastened to the'insulating panels. 16and17. Connection with a source of current maybe established in any kell-known I; manner. It will be seen, therefore, that. adjacent sockets maybe laterally displaced "with'fespe'ct' toeach other for obtaining any desired spacing of letters -;and that, within certain limits, each sojcket'may be rotated around its axis so asto ali adjacent letters. The springs 8 and 9 wi lbe securely held in place, notwithstanding the fact that no screws or rivets are used in their assembly and that they are held in place solelyby'their own resiliency andb the spri cli 14.

WhlltI claim i s: p

1. In amounting for luminescent tubes a socket having a body of insulating 'majterml with two perforations for receiving theelectrodes, a leaf spring in each perforation bulging outwardly at its middle to pressthe electrode against the. wall of-the perforation, a tab formed on the end of eachspri'ng extending to the outside of said body, two stationary bus bars, means for su porting said socket "so that it may be rotate and horizontally d'isplaced with respect' .to I said bus' bars, and means for maintainingsaidtabs'in Contact with said bus bars in all positions of said M! socket. v l

2. In a mounting for luminescent tubes, a socket having a body of insulating material with two perforationsfor receiving the'electrodes, a substantially. L'- shaped leaf spring for each perforation having its long leg lying adjacent the wall of a. rforation and bulging outwardly at its mid e to ress the electrode against the wall of the per oration, the shorter leg of the L, being curved to conform to the shape of the opening and lying against the wall at the rear of the opening, a tab formedon the'free end of said shorter leg gripping the wall .of the perforation, a shoulder projecting from the rear of the body between said 'perforat-ions, a spring clip mounted onsaid shoulder, two has bars, and means including said spring clip for pressing said tabs against said bus bars. V

3. In a mounting for luminescent tubes, a socket having a body of insulating material with two perforations for receiving the electrodes, a leaf s ring for each perforation bulging outwar 1y at its middle to press the electrode against the wall of the perforation,

so" I bar on each a tab formed on the end of each spring extending to the outside of said body, a spring clip mounted on said body between said perforatio'ns and spaced from the surface of said body, two insulating panels spaced from each other and. arranged to be gripped between said socket body and spring'clip, and a bus panel in alignment with one of said tabs.

4. In a mounting for luminescent tubes, a 7

socket having a body of insulating material having two rforations throughout its length for'receivi'ng the electrodes, a substantially L-shaped leaf spring for each perforation having its long leg lying against the wall of a perforation and bulging outwardly at its middle to press the elect-rode against the wall of the perforation, the shorter leg' of the L being curved to conform to the shape of the opening and lying against the wall at the rear of the opening, a tab formed on the free end of said shorter leg gripping the wall of the perforation, a narrow shoulder projecting from therear of the body between said pe1'-,

forations, a spring clip having projecting finers mounted on .said shoulder, two insulatmg panels spaced from each other widenth'an said shoulder, and a bus bar on each panel in ali exit with one of said tabs.

5., n a mounting for luminescent tubes, a socket having a body of insulating material with two perforations for receiving the ends, of a tube, means cooperating with the wall of each of said perforations for hoidingand for conducting current to a tube in said socket, a

pair of stationary busbars, means for supporting said socket so that it may be rotated and horizontally displaced with respect to said bus bars and for maintaining a-connection between said contact means and said bus bars in all positions of said socket. 1

7 leg 1pm *6. In a mounting for luminescenttubes a socket having a body of insulating material with two perforations for receiving the ends of a tube, a spring contact cooperating with a Wall of each of said perforations, a pair of stationary bus bars, a pair of contacts mounted 'on said socket for conducting current to said spring contacts, and means for supporting said socket so that it may be rotated and horizontally displaced with respect to said bus bars, and formaintaim'ng a connectionbetween said contacts and said bus bars in all socket comprising a body of insulating material having two perforations throughout its length for receiving the ends of a tube, a leaf springqfor each perforation having a iong' g against t e wall of said perforations and ulging outwardly at its middle to press the tube against the wall of the perforation,

means for conducting current to the said spring, a pair of bus bar's, means for slidably mounting-said socket on said bus bars and means for maintaining connection between said conductin means and 'said busbar in any position 0 said socket. v

In testimony whereof, Ihave signed my name to this specification this 26 day of October, 1926.

F. HENDRY. 

